UCLA’s football program continues to take shape under new head coach Bob Chesney, and the latest moves out of Westwood show he’s building his staff with familiar faces - and a clear vision.
On Tuesday, UCLA officially announced the hiring of Darrick Yray as the program’s new general manager, stepping into the role previously held by Khary Darlington. Yray brings a wealth of experience to the table and will be tasked with overseeing the operational and personnel side of the program - a vital piece in today’s college football landscape where roster management, NIL, and the transfer portal are as important as X’s and O’s.
But that’s just the start of the wave coming in from James Madison, where Chesney made a name for himself by turning the Dukes into one of the most competitive programs in the Group of Five. While not yet formally announced by the school, multiple key staffers from Chesney’s JMU tenure are following him to UCLA - and that includes some heavy hitters in the recruiting and personnel departments.
Nathan Applebaum, who served as the director of player personnel under Chesney at JMU, is expected to take on a similar role in Westwood as UCLA’s new Executive Director of Player Personnel. Applebaum confirmed the move himself, posting on social media that he’s “excited to join UCLA” and ready to get to work.
This is a significant addition. Applebaum brings a strong track record in talent evaluation and roster construction, having worked in recruiting roles at Fresno State, Michigan State, and Florida before linking up with Chesney at JMU. Over two seasons with the Dukes, he played a key role in identifying and bringing in the kind of talent that helped fuel their rise - and now he’ll be tasked with doing the same for the Bruins, just on a bigger stage.
Joining him is Michael Moriarty, another member of JMU’s recruiting staff, who also announced he’s heading to Westwood. Moriarty expressed gratitude for his time at James Madison, calling it a “season that rewrote history,” and is now shifting his focus to helping build something new at UCLA.
These moves are part of a broader trend we’re seeing with Chesney’s transition. Already, offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler have been reported as joining Chesney from JMU. With Applebaum and Moriarty now in the fold, it’s clear the new head coach is leaning on the continuity and chemistry of a staff that already knows how to work together - and win.
This isn’t just about familiarity, though. It’s about building a foundation that aligns with Chesney’s football philosophy.
These are people who understand how he operates, what he values in a player, and how to execute his vision for a program. That kind of alignment can be a massive advantage, especially in the early stages of a coaching transition.
So while the headlines may focus on the big-name coordinators or splashy transfer portal additions down the line, make no mistake - hires like Applebaum and Moriarty are the connective tissue that hold a program together. They’re the ones grinding behind the scenes to make sure the right players are on campus, the roster is balanced, and the recruiting pipeline is flowing.
As the Bob Chesney era officially begins in Westwood, it’s clear that UCLA isn’t just changing coaches - it’s reshaping the entire infrastructure of its football program. And if the early moves are any indication, they’re doing it with a plan, a purpose, and a staff that knows exactly what it’s getting into.